G11 Hazards and Disasters - Risk Assessment and Response
This unit explores hazards and disasters in terms of causes, consequences and mitigation / adaptation.
The key case studies are:
Two contrasting earthquakes (e.g. Haiti, 2010; New Zealand, 2011).
Two contrasting hurricanes (e.g. Katrina, 2005; Nargis, 2008).
Two contrasting droughts (e.g. Australia; East Africa - various dates).
A human-induced hazard (Bhopal, 1984).
IB Assessment Statements
1.Characteristics of hazards Explain the characteristics and spatial distribution of:
Earthquakes
Hurricanes
Droughts
A human-induced hazard (e.g. Bhopal)
2.Vulnerability:
Vulnerable populations: Explain why people live in hazardous areas.
Vulnerability: Discuss vulnerability as a function of demographic and socio-economic factors, and of a community’s preparedness / capacity to cope.
Explain why some sectors of the population are more vulnerable than others.
3.Risk and risk assessment.
Analysis of risk: Examine the relationship between the degree of risk and probability of a hazard event happening, predicted losses and preparedness.
Explain the reasons why people often underestimate the risk posed by hazards.
Discuss the factors affecting hazard risk perception.
Hazard event prediction: examine the methods used to predict the probability (in time and space) of hazard events happening and their potential impacts on lives and property.
Discuss these methods by examining case studies of two contrasting hazard types.
4.Disasters:
Definition: Distinguish between hazard event and a disaster. Explain why this is not always objective.
Measurement: Describe the methods used to quantify the spatial extent and intensity of disasters.
Explain the causes and impacts of any one disaster resulting from a natural hazard.
Explain the causes and impacts of one recent human-induced hazard event or disaster.
Examine the ways in which the intensity and impacts of disasters vary in space and have changed over time.
5.Adjustments and responses to hazards and disasters.
Responses to the risk of hazard events: discuss the usefulness of assessing risk before deciding the strategies of adjustment and response to a hazard.
Describe the attempts that have been used to reduce vulnerability by spreading the risk (aid, insurance)) and by land-use planning (zoning).
Before the event: describe strategies designed to limit the damage from potential hazard events and disasters.
G11 Hazards and Disasters - Risk Assessment and Response
This unit explores hazards and disasters in terms of causes, consequences and mitigation / adaptation.
The key case studies are:
Two contrasting earthquakes (e.g. Haiti, 2010; New Zealand, 2011).
Two contrasting hurricanes (e.g. Katrina, 2005; Nargis, 2008).
Two contrasting droughts (e.g. Australia; East Africa - various dates).
A human-induced hazard (Bhopal, 1984).
IB Assessment Statements
- Responses to the risk of hazard events: discuss the usefulness of assessing risk before deciding the strategies of adjustment and response to a hazard.
- Describe the attempts that have been used to reduce vulnerability by spreading the risk (aid, insurance)) and by land-use planning (zoning).
Before the event: describe strategies designed to limit the damage from potential hazard events and disasters.Resources
Assignments